Whiz Kid: Lanay Rodney, 8th Grade Starter on Girls Varsity Basketball Team

Whiz Kid: Lanay Rodney

School:  Peekskill Middle School

Accomplishment:  This 8th grader at Peekskill Middle School is proving her talents both on the basketball court and in the classroom.

Key to Awesomeness:   Thirteen-year-old Lanay Rodney is already a starter on Peekskill High School’s girls’ basketball team, The Lady Red Devils.

Rodney Headley, the varsity coach who is also a teacher at the middle school, said that this young athlete is a basketball player with lots of natural ability. Rodney has scored a respectable average of 8 points per game, and helped the Lady Devils with 12 wins this season; the team has had 6 losses. 

“She has a huge role as an eighth-grader and has played major minutes in the games for more than half the season,” Headley said.

“She can shoot from the outside and can drive inside at this young age.” He explained that middle-school players are eligible to play on the varsity level if they show the talent for it.

Headley added that her attention to academic achievement makes Rodney a well-rounded student. “Lanay keeps an 80 average or above and is an honor roll student along with her success in basketball."

As for the game of basketball, it is the physical battle that drives Rodney, the youngest of three siblings. “You have to push your teammates and yourself in order to win the game—and in order to succeed, you have to stay focused while in the game and always push yourself,” she said.

The confident middle-schooler relishes the chance to be playing at the high school level. “I love playing varsity basketball for Peekskill and enjoy the competition of playing on a higher level—most people underestimate my talent, but once I get a chance to shine, I'll prove them wrong.”

Catch the next game on Friday, Feb. 17, 5 p.m. at Peekskill High School for the first round of the Sectional Playoffs.

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